A Secret in Her Kiss
Author: Anna Randol
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon
Pub. Date: January 31, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0062025807
Pages: 384
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Retail Price: $7.99
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SHE WOULD GLADLY RELINQUISH HER LIFE OF INTRIGUE…

A rare beauty, raised in the exotic heart of the mysterious East, Mari Sinclair knows it’s time to end her career as a British spy when she narrowly avoids a brush with death. Unfortunately, there are those who think otherwise – and they are not above using blackmail to keep Mari in the game.

Saddled with a handsome, duty-obsessed “minder” to ensure that she completes – and survives – one last mission, Mari is incensed…for her guardian, Major Bennett Prestwood is simply too dedicated, too unbending, and too disarmingly attractive. But in the face of dark secrets and deadly treacheries, as the true peril to Mari is slowly revealed, loyal soldier Bennett realizes that to save and win this extraordinary woman, he will have to do the unthinkable and break the rules – rules that passion and desire have suddenly, irrevocably changed.

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REVIEW

A Secret in Her Kiss is a unique and wonderful debut historical romance.

A Secret in Her Kiss takes place during the regency period, but instead of the glittering ballrooms of London the hero and heroine find themselves risking their lives and falling in love in Constantinople.

I’m always a little leery about regency romances that aren’t typical. I’ve read some fantastic ones. (It’s a personal preference that there are drawing rooms and balls.) I was wonderfully surprised by A Secret in Her Kiss. The setting plays such an important roll in the story and it is wonderfully written. There is a touch of mystery and intrigue that surrounds the couple.

Mari Sinclair’s only real goal in life is to help the Greek people. Her mother, once a slave, had taught her the importance of helping her people. Mari is willing to do whatever it takes, including spying, to accomplish her task. She doesn’t want to put up with a stodgy English soldier. She knows that he will only get in her way.

Major Bennett Prestwood wants nothing more than to get home to his family. His sister is in an untenable marriage and he knows that he must get home soon to rescue her. Bennett wants nothing to do with the beautiful spy. These two go through so much together and find themselves falling in love around the way.

I love the relationship between Mari and Bennett. It evolves from them merely tolerating each other (and not well) to them being unable to live without the other. Ms. Randol does an excellent job of making their relationship progress naturally and in a realistic manner.

A Secret in Her Kiss is a fantastic debut novel and I can’t wait to see where Ms. Randol takes us next.

Rating: 4 (Very Good)

Heat-Level: 4 (Hot)

Reviewed by Carrie

Comment and enter to win your own copy of A SECRET IN HER KISS

4 StarsAvondebutshistoricals
By Avon Books, Giveaways, Reviews45 Comments on Review & Giveaway: A Secret In Her Kiss by Anna Randol

45 Replies to “Review & Giveaway: A Secret In Her Kiss by Anna Randol”

  3. I read a review for this book on another blog about two weeks ago, and Wow. I can’t wait to read it. I absolutely looooove the cover.

  4. I would like to read this book because it’s a debut author and it’s a historical.
    The fact that it is set in a different locale is a bonus for me.
    Thank you Carrie for a great review and for the giveaway.

  5. I also read a review on this book somewhere else and I thought it sounded really good. I put it on my BN wish list, but would love to win it instead.

  6. I normally like typical Regency romances also, but I would like to read this. The cover is beautiful. This is a new author for me and would like to try her out. Thanks!

  8. This really caught my eye when I saw it the other day. I enjoyed the review; it was well written. I’m adding A SECRET IN HER KISS to my must have list.

  10. “I’m always a little leery about regency romances that aren’t typical.” I’m the same — I’m drawn to the comfortable safety of the typical Regency. Of course whenever I go out of my comfort zone, I love the uniqueness and kick myself for not having done it sooner.

  12. I’ve heard good things about this book and look forward to reading it. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

  13. Sounds like a very interesting read! I love historical romance novels they are my favorite!!!!

  14. A SECRET IN HER KISS sounds like a must read. Anna Randol is a new author for me, but I loved the excerpt and want to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

  16. I really enjoy debut authors/stories – something about firsts. Historicals are definitely my favorite and I have to say what a gorgeous cover!

  19. The setting intrigued me — and it’s a debut so I picked it up. (Just waiting for my copy to arrive.)

    Great review!

  22. I always have an eye out for historical romance in different time periods/settings than the norm. I have my eye on this one, and I’m glad to hear that you liked it.

  23. This looks good. I’d love a chance to win a copy. 🙂 I love trying debut titles, gives me a chance to fall in love with a new author right from the beginning.

  24. What a gorgeous cover! This sounds like a wonderful book, and I love that it has such an unusual setting.

  27. Oh oh oh! I just heard about this book, and now here is a great review on it! I love that this romance is not typical, that the author went out of the Regency box to a new local. I can’t wait to read this, and after reading your review and seeing the great rating you gave it I am even more excited =)

  28. Congratulations on the release of A SECRET IN HER KISS, Anna. The cover is perfect, I love it.

    The very first historical fiction, not romance, I read in high school took place, in part, in this same region during the same time period. It has fascinated and interested me since. This region had so much going on during the Regency and offers such great possibilities for stories. There are also good possibilities for Victorian set stories. I look for them, but there aren’t very many.

    I hope this book does well and we see many more from you in the future.

  29. Great review Carrie. I really love books set in exotic locations! This book looks wonderful.
    Thanks for another giveaway!

  30. Loved the review Carrie! Now this sounds like a book I won’t be able to put down until I’m completely finished. 🙂

  31. A new author offering an interesting premise and setting. I’d love to win this book and read it right away. 🙂

  34. love that cover, have heard some buzz about the book & your review makes it sound like there’s a good reason for that. definately sounds like a book to add to the wish list, thanks for the chance to add it to the tbr pile 🙂

  35. Love the cover. Great review. Sounds like a wonderful book. Can’t wait to read it.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

  37. OMG! I picked this book up in B&N the other night. I love the cover and the story sounds great. I didn’t buy it as I was in a mood. However I’d love to win it. Anna is a new author. I love finding new authors. I’m going to visit her site and stuff. 🙂
    I haven’t won in a long time here and I hope it’s not because I don’t visit the blog every day. I love this blog but it seems I have a doctor’s apt. every 1 to 4 days. *sigh* I’m over it! Don’t these doctors know I’d rather be posting on The Season blog? 🙂

  38. I think I’ve already fallen in love with Anna by just reading about her debut novel!

    I always alove “meeting” new authors and I love that for a first novel Anna has taken the risk to make a bold statement with her story by starting out with the “soldier and the spy” aspect .

    Thanks for the great review. I can’t wait to read story and find out more about Mari and how both her Greek heritage and her mother’s slavery connects in the storyline.

  39. A SECRET IN HER KISS looks great 🙂 The story sounds different which is refreshing. I like changing things up a bit and can’t wait to see how well the story works in the Greek aspect and spy plotline. Cover looks amazing.
    Thanks for the review and giveaway

  44. Oh, I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book!
    Gotta read! I love discovering new authors 🙂
    can’t wait! Thanks :*

  45. Great review. Adding this to my must buy pile. Thanks for the chance to win.
    This books sounds awesome.

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